From the Guardian · · 1m 50s
Rayo Vallecano protest
Rayo Vallecano fans throw paper planes to force match abandonment against Athletic Bilbao.
In brief
Rayo Vallecano fans throw paper planes to force match abandonment against Athletic Bilbao. Rayo Vallecano fans protested their club chair Raúl Martín Presa by throwing paper planes, leading to the match with Athletic Bilbao being abandoned after 13 minutes. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Fans protest chair
Rayo Vallecano fans throw paper planes in protest against their club chair Raúl Martín Presa during match with Athletic Club.
“Fans of Rayo Vallecano throw paper planes in protest against their club’s chair, Raúl Martín Presa, during the match against Athletic Club, which was eventually abandoned”
Match abandoned
The match was abandoned after 13 minutes of protest with fans throwing paper planes.
“The match was abandoned after 13 minutes of protest with fans throwing paper planes”
Club crisis
Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues.
“Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues”
Chair’s response
Raúl Martín Presa accused the council of condemning the club to segunda after suspension of ground agreement.
“Rayo’s president, Raúl Martín Presa, said he was furious with the council, locking the gates to keep their technicians out and accusing them of condemning the club to segunda”
Ground conditions
The ground was described as unsafe and unhealthy by the report, but fans had long known this.
“The ground’s upkeep was the tenants’ responsibility but, like so much else, it had been abandoned, left to ruin”
Protest planning
Fans planned a protest with paper planes, flyers, and stickers to pressure Presa to leave.
“On surfaces all around the stadium, green stickers proclaimed “SOS Rayo Vallecano””
Protest execution
Fans threw paper planes during the match, leading to referee stopping play after 24 minutes and 56 seconds.
“The whistles started bang on the 13th minute and so did the planes, swooping in from all three stands”
Referee decision
Referee José María Sánchez Martínez stopped the match after 24 minutes and 56 seconds, citing unsafe conditions.
“The referee, José María Sánchez Martínez, stopped the game and shrugged”
Post-protest
Fans and players left the field after the protest, with Athletic players joining supporters in the bars.
“Athletic’s players went to their fans in the far corner, then back towards Rayo’s supporters, who chanted: “Athletic! Athletic!””
Next steps
The match was to be replayed after negotiations, but Athletic wanted to return the following morning.
“Athletic wanted to return the following morning but that was rejected and so at 4.23pm on Saturday their bus pulled out for Barajas”
Supporters’ call
Rayo supporters called the situation 'the inevitable consequence of exhaustion, frustration and anger'.
“Rayo’s supporters’ association called this 'the inevitable consequence of exhaustion, frustration and anger'”
Captain’s statement
Captain Óscar Valentín called the protest necessary and demanded action to address fan discontent.
“An unsustainable situation has reached its limit”
Club’s crisis
Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues.
“Rayo Vallecano’s crisis includes abandoned facilities, chaotic management, and staff treatment issues”
What happens next
The match will be replayed after negotiations, but Athletic’s request to return the following morning was rejected.
“Athletic wanted to return the following morning but that was rejected and so at 4.23pm on Saturday their bus pulled out for Barajas”
Here's the gist
Rayo Vallecano fans protested their club chair Raúl Martín Presa by throwing paper planes, leading to the match with Athletic Bilbao being abandoned after 13 minutes.
